As we enter the peak of hurricane season, it’s time to have a conversation with yourself about preparations. Aside from collecting canned goods, water, medical supplies and preparing important documents, you may also be considering purchasing a portable generator to supply you with electricity in the event that disaster strikes.

Small, portable generators of varying quality that will supply 2000 to 10,000 watts of backup power can be purchased for as little as $200, or up to $2500. For a quick-and-dirty fix to keep the power on, it’s possible to run heavy-duty extension cords right from a generator to your appliances.

However, exercise caution with portable generator use. One of the biggest killers after hurricanes is carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, which can happen when homeowners place their portable generators too close to their homes. Be sure to position a portable generator far away from any air conditioning units, or other vents or windows, because the generator will suck CO into the house.

If you are considering purchasing a generator as a preparation for hurricane season, or if you need a certain piece of equipment for a construction project, visit us in Jupiter, FL for your tool and equipment needs. We provide customers in Palm Beach and Martin Counties with state of the art, perfectly maintained tools and equipment for contractors, homeowners and landscapers. Our highly competitive prices and personalized customer service are no match for impersonal big-box retailers.

Not all home improvements result in a jaw-dropping reveal, worthy of a home improvement television show “before and after” scene.

However, some of the less glamorous home improvements that you could do to your home may prove to be the most important. Projects like installing a dehumidification system, re-insulating your attic, and sealing foundation cracks often result in long-term savings, once the jobs are complete. Some important home improvement projects you may choose to tackle yourself, while others you may decide to hire a licensed contractor.

Whether you are a Do It Yourself homeowner or an industry professional, visit us in Jupiter, FL for all of your lawn-and-garden, tool and equipment rental needs. We provide customers in Palm Beach and Martin Counties with state of the art, perfectly maintained tools and equipment for contractors, homeowners and landscapers. Our highly competitive prices and personalized customer service are no match for impersonal big-box retailers.

The appeal of renting equipment and renting for longer terms is increasing among contractors because of “the uncertainty created by the economic downturn of the last few years and an unwillingness to commit to purchases, given the work situation,” says Sidney Sexson, senior vice president at Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, Tempe, Ariz.

Scarce new development activity amid tight lending conditions has ratcheted up the rivalry among job-hungry contractors, leaving more firms vying for fewer projects. The increased competition has narrowed already slim bidding margins, forcing contractors to eke out a financial edge wherever possible. For some firms, that has meant renting rather than buying. Equipment rentals allow contractors to shift downtime risk while trimming expenses, including licensing, insurance, taxes and debt, among others.

The U.S. rental business grew an estimated 18.6% in 2011, according to the Associated Equipment Manufacturers, a Milwaukee-based industry trade group. This year, North American equipment rentals are expected to generate $33.5 billion in revenue, an increase of 6.9% and more than three times the expected growth rate of the U.S. economy, says the Moline, Ill.-based American Rental Association. Rentals offer a flexible, safe solution as the economy makes a jagged recovery.